Help with tents please

[James AKA Lynx]

I like it. Only one pole to set up, sweet and a full rain fly. Nice.<br><br>James AKA Lynx

 

[caseyc]

<p>One pole setup? Wow, that would cool.&nbsp; The last time I set up a Target brand tent, it was one of the worst experiences.&nbsp; There were so many poles to put together that I had to have help from a 2nd person.&nbsp; Breaking down the tent was just as cumbersome too.&nbsp; If that wasn't bad enough, having to sleep on an airbed was excruciating.&nbsp; I kept having bad dreams I was falling off a cliff!&nbsp; I swear there was only a 3 feet wide sweet spot on that queen size airbed.&nbsp; I had such a terrible night sleep that it took me the next 3 days to recover from an aching back.&nbsp; After that last tent camping trip, I swore I'd never sleep in a tent again.&nbsp; Hence my idea to buy a van which I have all set up with a *real* twin size iComfort 10" thick memory foam gel mattress with a *real* bed frame, and Tempurpedic memory foam pillows with down comforters&nbsp;to boot.&nbsp; I'm in heaven now!&nbsp; I have sworn off ever sleeping in a tent again, haha! <img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/eek.gif"></p>

 

[kidiekat]

caseyc&nbsp;&nbsp; hi, yes the teepee style tent is what Mr Bob said would have less wind friction.&nbsp; The tent arrived but I haven't had a chance to figure out if it is an easy set up or a nightmare yet.&nbsp; For some reason the spring season doesn't want to start here so I am rained and chilled out of my yard sale and everything.&nbsp; I want to get a footer so I don't start out yucking up the bottom of the tent.&nbsp; <br><br>The storage bag has lots of extra space in it.&nbsp; I am figuring the tent will not compact down the way it starts out. lol&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Monday is suppose to be a nice day so I may try to read the instructions and do an initial set up then.&nbsp; So I can report back on it after that.&nbsp; (hopefully)&nbsp; <span style="color: #800000;">If I can set it up, then any one can.</span><br><br>I did find some extra tent spikes shopping this morning so I loaded up on some extras for the ones I may loose.&nbsp; I think they will be sorta like disappearing socks in a washing machine.&nbsp; <br><br>I have the number bed which is basically an air bed with a fancy name and I love it.&nbsp; Queen size is more than enough for me and my dog luci I guess that is the size I will get for my tent.&nbsp; Gotta measure it once the tent is up to see what will fit and how. &nbsp;&nbsp; <br><br>I have the memory foam bed too.&nbsp; I put it in my guest room, for some reason it just didn't help my back and hips.&nbsp; <br><br>Yes a van would be heaven but I don't want any debts.&nbsp; So I will start out in my car and tent.&nbsp; Maybe in time I will come across a short bed van that calls my name.&nbsp; It took me 6 years to finally pick out the little car I now have so changing from what I know is dependable and has good mileage scares me a bit.&nbsp; So I am taking my time, trying to be frugal, buy equipment that will at least make it through the first year and get my sea legs stable.&nbsp; <br><br>Once my confidence is going then I can move up the food chain.&nbsp; <br><br>I suppose it is the crappy weather and the postponement of the yard sale (clearing out the stuffffff) I am having the nervous jitters. Antsy to just get it done! &nbsp; I am hoping I will be successful and not fall on my face in my new life adventure.&nbsp; <br><br>It is good to hear from others that are making it work going off the grid.&nbsp; It gives me encouragement. Thank you for your input. <br><br><br>

 

[kidiekat]

James aka Lynx&nbsp; Yes.&nbsp; One pole seems like it will be an easy set up.&nbsp; I hope, I hope.&nbsp; I looked at tents that had so many poles it looked like I would need an engineer to set up.<br><br>I still have so much to learn and so much to do.&nbsp; Studying on how to pack the car now.&nbsp; I got the solo stove set and looked at a coleman 2 burner, 2 fuel set up in the store today.&nbsp; I just have to have some one show me how to use it safely.&nbsp; lol I even got a bowie??? knife.&nbsp; lol&nbsp; Paul Bunyon I am not but a video showed how to chop sticks to feed the fire for the stove.&nbsp; Yay, hot water in 8 minutes.....&nbsp; Gasifier...&nbsp; All these new terms.&nbsp; <br><br>How did camping get so complicated? <br><br>Oh my..&nbsp; Hope my brain can hold all this information.&nbsp; lol<br><br>

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;Nice thing about the pyramidal single pole setup is that you could conceivably camp under a tree (no dead limbs!) or between 2 and string a line and do without the pole. ..Willy &nbsp;

 

[kidiekat]

Oh my trees.&nbsp; ME and the riding mower have a standing battle with the low branch on my dogwood tree.&nbsp; I hit that sucker again today.&nbsp; I think it's gonna kill me before I get out of here.&nbsp; <br>Maybe I will try that "hang the tent from the tree thing" on it.&nbsp; If I have any luck at all the damn tree will fall over.&nbsp; <br><br>Good practice for me.<br><br>thanks

 

[offroad]

Kidiekat - was trying to think how are you going to deal with the ground being HARD AS A ROCK,&nbsp; and then thought well maybe you will not be trying to hammer into the ground, that you will instead get four large base anchors and tie to them strategically.&nbsp; Or maybe carry four small stuff sacks to put sand and rocks into and put those at the four corners, using friction and weight to keep the base open against wind and driving rain.<br><br>The comment above about hanging a rope from a couple trees to hold it up, instead of the pole, is a great idea.&nbsp; Maybe use both in a wind storm.<br><br>Am starting to like your tent a lot, from the discussions I re-read on the tarp conversation link above.&nbsp; May have to buy one. At $300 it looks like a great bargain for a four season shelter. <br><br>http://www.equinoxltd.com/the-gear/bags-and-pouches/ground-hog-tent-and-tarp-anchors.cfm<br><br>http://www.backpacker.com/november_08_how_to_do_everything_camping/skills/12642?page=5<br><br><br>If you go to some places for tents they have wooden platforms, so be sure to bring a claw hammer, and spike nails.&nbsp; Easy to put in spikes with a hammer, and pull out with the claw.<br><br><br><br>

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;These:&nbsp; http://cascadedesigns.com/therm-a-rest/mattresses/camp-and-comfort/category&nbsp; I've used these for decades and they'll make near any type of ground comfy. Years ago, on the banks of the Similkameen (outside of Keremeos), I showed some people just how well they work by laying one down on some cobbles (rocks 4-8") and told 'em to lay down on it.. couldn't feel a thing. The secret is to blow a bit of extra air into them. Repair is dead easy using Freesole and, if you get a puncture (not common cuz they're pretty tough), a little water and soap finds the leak. ..Willy.

 

[Wild_E]

go to the dollar store and pick up 4-6 pencil cases, then put rocks in them, use that for weight.&nbsp;

 

[offroad]

Willy - Thermarest mattresses are just so comfortable.&nbsp; Agreed.&nbsp; prices of less than $70 for most and a good nights sleep are worth it.<br><br>http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear...&amp;ip_sortBy=&amp;searchKeywords=thermarest<br><br>WILD-E&nbsp;&nbsp; -&nbsp;&nbsp; yes definitely use the dollar store version first to see if you can make it work. Myself I ordered the anchor sacks, and will get some smooth soft rocks to place in them, for less friction, and no sand car camping.&nbsp; was even thinking to put camp charcoal in them, as storage for when I need that, but thinking its just too light weight.<br><br>

 

[offroad]

Kidiekat - just ordered the desert model.&nbsp; You sold me on it as I need something new in a tent.<br><br>

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;If a person isn't hiking around and hauling stuff on the ol' back, getting the Basecamp model is well worth it; much thicker and comfier. It also has a higher R-value. ..Willy.

 

[idn88]

I am surprised no one mentioned oztents. &nbsp;There all the rage with the expedition types. &nbsp;Supposedly easy up, all season, and long lasting. &nbsp;I don't own one but would like to. &nbsp;Might be worth looking at. &nbsp;<a href="http://www.oztent.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.oztent.com/<br><br>I</a>&nbsp;have also thought long and hard about a tent cot. &nbsp;However all the reviews said there very hot, so maybe not the best for me. However they look appealing - pull in, pop them up and you have your cot and tent all in one. &nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://store.kamprite.com/catalog/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://store.kamprite.com/catalog/<br><br></a>I also second the cot idea. &nbsp;I actually got one at wally world for I think 25 bucks that is pretty good, although its heavy. &nbsp;There is something about sleeping off the ground. &nbsp;Might be more physiological than anything, but being off the ground is a good thing.<br><br>Can't wait to hear how you like the teepee. &nbsp;I have looked at those also, but they have mixed reviews on quality so would love to hear how it goes.<br><br><br>

 

[offroad]

a inflatable mattress like THERMAREST has a specific &nbsp;R value. am going to look at what theratings are for the base camp. anything 5 ish is great.&nbsp;

 

[highdesertranger]

idn88 as soon as the sun comes up I think all tents get hot unless you are in cold weather.&nbsp; actually I don't use tents except to get out of rain or snow.&nbsp; I much rather sleep outside.&nbsp; highdesertranger&nbsp;

 

[wagoneer]

Tent I really like is a ex USMC surplus &nbsp;will fit two huggy huggy style flea market find made by diamond for eureka.

 

[wagoneer]

ups,

 

[offroad]

Order the Kelty Double Wide mattress - like a thermarest.&nbsp;&nbsp; It has the R value for winter camping, and the width to just relax, adjust, wiggle&nbsp;and not be a mummy frozen zombie.<BR>&nbsp;

 

[kidiekat]

Willy......&nbsp;&nbsp; Yay, persistence pays off.&nbsp; I am on the craigs list thingy.&nbsp; So this is helping in two ways.&nbsp; I am searching the deals on eastern shore here in Maryland.&nbsp; I am also listing a few things at a time to test the waters to sell my stuff.&nbsp; I have sooooo much junk.<br><br>I have successfully sold a lot of my sewing room.&nbsp; Wow.&nbsp; So I am going to post my guitar and all the goodies that go with it.&nbsp; I just posted my guest room today.&nbsp; I am pricing this stuff to go.&nbsp; <br><br>I would love to be on the road in a month. <br><br>I haven't tried putting up my tent yet.&nbsp; The weather is finally breaking here so I will go out and make my first attempt this week.&nbsp; <br><br>I think the thermarest sounds like some thing I will try.&nbsp; I can put my quilt over it to protect it from Luci's toe nails.&nbsp; I will check craigs list maybe I will find some thing there.&nbsp; I will do research on the kelty mattress too.&nbsp; I think double will fit in the tent.&nbsp;&nbsp; It is 8X8 but will have the pole in the center.&nbsp; <br><br>I just looked at the kelty on one site. It came in twin and queen.&nbsp; The queen would be to wide for the 8X8 tent.&nbsp; I will keep checking though.&nbsp; <br><br>thanks

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;Those Thermarests have a tough nylon outer shell and a rubberized inner coating that's bonded to the foam core. I had one that I bought when I was 17 and used it for decades.. with the dog bouncing all over it. ..Willy.&nbsp;